Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said, her priority will be Armed forces preparedness. Speaking to media after she took charge, Mrs Sitharaman said it is important that country's armed forces receive all attention in terms of giving them best equipments to discharge their duties. <br/><br/>She said, priorities will be also given to indigenous defence production as part of Make in India initiative. She also said long pending issues of the Armed forces will be resolved. Mrs. Sitharaman took charge from Arun Jaitley who was holding the additional charge of the Ministry since March this year. Notably, Ms. Sitharaman has become the first full time woman Defence Minister of the country.

Nirmala Sitharaman takes charge as Defence Minister in New Delhi today. Ms Sitharaman becomes the first full time woman Defence Minister of India. She was sworn in as an Cabinet Minister on Sunday. She was serving as Commerce and Industry Minister since May 2014.